University thespians to return to the stage this fall

Sep. 23—University of Toledo students will once again perform before live audiences starting this fall — that is, barring any surprise coronavirus outbreaks or other emergencies.

Of course, it won't be a full return to "normal," since masks will be required for both performers and audiences, said Holly Monsos, chairman of the UT Department of Theatre and Film. But it'll be a big change from the 2020-2021 school year, when all student performances had to be livestreamed.

"We did do stuff last year, just not for the public," Ms. Monsos said. "We were preparing stuff. We focused our students on writing their own scripts and we will be premiering those in November — we hope live."

UT students will return during the university's Festival of New Student Work, which will feature a multiple live performances of roughly 10-minute plays written during the last academic year by fellow UT students. Dates for the festival are 7:30 p.m. Nov. 11-13 and 2 p.m. Nov. 14 at the UT Center for Performing Arts Theatre, 1910 W. Rocket Drive, Toledo.

But that will just be a warmup, as plans are to hold an early 2022 live production of the play Elkshire — a full-length student play premiering in February — followed by an April musical of the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.

Like UT, Owens Community College will likewise feature fall shows this year, with a student production of The War of the Worlds: The 1938 Radio Script at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 4-6 and 3 p.m. Nov. 3 at Owens' Center for Fine and Performing Arts, 7270 Biniker Rd., Perrysburg.

Bowling Green State University officials could not confirm yet whether their shows will be in-person or if they will once again livestream them.

Live theater's return to UT follows a year where students and faculty spent an academic year brainstorming ways to innovate so that shows could go on. The result was an award-winning streaming production of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, for which students wrote a script from the Jules Verne novel to create a show that explores oppression and the morality of fighting for social justice using peaceful or violent means.

The show recently won the Kennedy Center Citizen Artist Award that "recognize[s] programs in higher education using theatrical production to promote long-term societal impact through an artistic lens, to encourage empathetic exploration of the complex cultural and physical world, and to advocate for justice on campus and throughout the world."

Now students will have to get used to performing under the closer, watchful eyes of those who want to see UT's shows live rather than from a computer screen. Ms. Monsos said it will certainly be an adjustment, especially with coronavirus health protocols still in place.

"The students are working on learning to project and enunciate clearly enough that they can be heard," she said. "It's a big change, but we'll continue to do whatever is necessary to keep everyone safe."

Upcoming shows:

—I Ought to Be in Pictures: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at the Black Swamp Players' theater, located at 115 E. Oak St., Bowling Green.

—The Rocky Horror Show, a show by 3B Productions: 8 p.m. Oct. 1-2 at the Maumee Indoor Theatre, 601 Conant St., Maumee.

—On the Exhale, a one-woman play: 8 p.m. Oct. 9 and 2:30 p.m. Oct. 10 at the Toledo Repertoire Theatre, 16 Tenth St, Toledo.

—Something Rotten!: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 8-9 and Oct. 14-16, and 2:30 p.m. Oct. 10 and Oct. 17 at the Croswell Opera House, 129 E. Maumee St., Adrian, Mich.

—Matilda, a show by Waterville Playshop: 8 p.m. Oct. 22-23 and 2:30 p.m. Oct. 24 at the Maumee Indoor Theatre.

—Nightfall with Edgar Allan Poe: 8 p.m. Oct. 29 and 30, 2 p.m. Oct. 31 at the Village Players Theatre, 2740 Upton Ave., Toledo.

—The 39 Steps: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 29 and 31, and Nov. 5-6; 2:30 p.m. Oct. 31 at the Fassett Auditorium, 3025 Starr Ave., Oregon.

—Rent 25th Anniversary Farewell Tour: 7:30 p.m. Nov. 2 at the Valentine Theatre, 410 Adams St., Toledo.

—Sherlock Holmes and the Adventure of the Fallen Soufflé: Oct. 29-31 and Nov. 4-7 at the Rep.

—Anastasia: (times vary) Nov. 4-7 at the Stranahan Theater, 4645 Heatherdowns Blvd., Toledo.

—A Christmas Story: 7:30 p.m. Nov. 26-27, Dec. 3-4, and Dec. 10-11; and 2:30 p.m. Nov. 28, Dec. 4-5, and Dec. 11-12 at the Croswell Opera House.

—An Officer and a Gentleman: (times vary) Dec. 2-5 at the Stranahan Theater.

—A Christmas Carol: Dec. 2-5 and Dec. 9-12 at the Rep.

—It's a Wonderful Life: A Life Radio Play: 8 p.m. Dec. 10 and 18, 2 p.m. Dec. 12 at at the Village Players Theatre, 2740 Upton Ave., Toledo.

—A Christmas Carol: A Life Radio Play: 8 p.m. Dec. 11 and 17, 2 p.m. Dec. 19 at the Village Players Theatre, 2740 Upton Ave., Toledo.

—Every Christmas Story Ever Told (and Then Some): Dec. 10-12 and Dec. 17-19 at the Black Swamp Players' theater.

Jeff Schmucker writes about theater for The Blade. Send news of theater and comedy events at least two weeks in advance to theater@theblade.com.